Mining Operations – Testing and Tagging Requirements

All mining operations have a Testing and Tagging requirement for electrical equipment under regulation 5.27 of the MSI regulations. On this page you will find all the information that you need to know to position yourself, to ensure that your Mining Operation site is compliant with the appropriate regulations.

If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact us via 1300 038 847 number or the online enquiry form on this page, as we are here to help.

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What are the Testing Intervals?

For Mining Operations – Test & Tagging as per Regulations 5.27 of the MSI regulations requires the Testing & Tagging of portable electrical equipment and portable RCD’s on a 3 monthly inspection & maintenance system. Mining operations must either use their own tagging colour system or follow Appendix F of AS/NZS 3012:2010 as above.

Different coloured tags are required on your equipment for each quarter, please see the coloured tags required below.

Push button test to be carried out before each use and a least once a day

What Equipment Needs to be Tested?

All electrical equipment on your Mining Operations Site needs to be tested on 3 monthly retest interval.

Listed below are examples of common equipment that you would require to be Test & Tagged and inspected on a mining site.

Welders

Portable RCD Box’s

Drop Saw

Soldering Iron

Grinder

Single & three phase extension leads

Circular Saw

Vacuum Cleaners

High Pressure Hose

Pump

Air Compressor

Jigsaw

Jack Hammer

Temporary Builders Site Switchboards

Portable Generators

Arc Welders

Battery Chargers

Portable Inverters

What Flexibility is Allowed with the Testing Intervals?

In order to remain compliant to the standard you will need to stick to the 3 monthly cycle as stated in the section above.

There is a tolerance of 2 weeks allowed from renewal date for you to still achieve compliance.

One of the most common problems that we see in the construction industry, is that everyone is busy and it’s very easy to miss these dates and not be compliant with the standards. We can help you by taking care of this responsibility for you.

The ETTiS team will have a scheduled task to contact your site manager several weeks before the end of the quarter to advise that the Test & Tag renewal to change tag colours is coming due. We will then arrange a time to attend your site to test and tag all your electrical equipment, to ensure you always comply. This will save you time and hassle, and allow you to get on with the running your business.

Does Brand New Equipment Need to Be Tested?

A very common compliance issue we see in the industry, is that when new electrical equipment is purchased, it is straight away put into production on the site.

This practice however does not comply with the standards. In order to remain compliant all new equipment must be Inspected & Tested prior to initial introduction to service.

Please feel free to contact us when you purchase new equipment and we can arrange for it to be tested and tagged promptly for you so that you don’t lose any downtime with your production schedule.

What Compliance Reporting is required?

For Mining sites, the following documentation must be kept for all electrical equipment & RCDs:

Register of all equipment

Record of formal inspection & tests

Repair register

Record of all faulty equipment showing details of services & corrective action

The Electrical Appliance Register must include:

Testers name who carried out the test

Date testing carried out & re-test date

Result from testing – Pass/Fail

License no of the electrician or certificate no of the competent person carrying out the testing

Asset ID No. of the items tested

Making Your Compliance Reporting Easy For You

If you have to update, maintain and store all these records yourself it can be quite a responsibility, and yet another task that you need to do on top of your already busy schedule.

The team here at ETTiS have this record process very systemized, streamlined and efficient. All records are stored securely and can be provided when required

The Specific Details of What Legislation applies:

MSI – Mines Safety & Inspection Regulations 1995; regulation 5.27 of the MSI regulations prescribes that each person at a mine site must ensure that a maintenance system is in place at the mine, so that electrical equipment and installations are maintained in a safe working order.

All mining operations have a testing and tagging requirement for electrical equipment under regulation 5.27 of the MSI regulations

The maintenance system must include 3 monthly Testing & Tagging of any portable appliances normally used in heavy operating environments, such as workshops, mining areas, processing areas and constructions sites.

Your Next Steps:

So that we can best assist you and your business with your compliance needs, please contact us on 1300 038 847 or 0417 188 505 and ask to speak to Tracy. Tracy Cox has extensive experience in the industry, and is a great resource for determining your electrical safety requirements, to ensure that your business is compliant in your industry. We can provide you with a copy of the relevant testing standard for your industry and equipment.